As a heartfelt thank-you to the hospital’s biggest supporters, the CHEO Foundation recognized 150 of its donors at an event last night.

Representing millions of dollars worth of donations to the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, the annual donor board this year is led by the local branch of a logistics and supply chain management company.

This year, the single-largest donation was from Pelyco Systems, which is owned by Paul and Arlene Doerr. Donations on the board range from $2,500 to $1 million and up and are philanthropic gifts given during the 2006 fiscal year by individual donors, corporations, groups and through memorial funds and wills.

The foundation raises over $15 million a year through donations and special events.

“Once a year, we salute the people who donated enough to get on the board and others that have moved up,” said Len Hanes, with the CHEO Foundation.

“They have been so generous to us that it’s only the right thing to do,” said Sylvie Corbin, manager of major gifts at the CHEO Foundation.

Publicly acknowledging donations may serve to encourage others to do the same, Corbin said.

“It’s a very visible donor board in the lobby. It shows other people that they can give.”

Money raised through the foundation benefits programs, research and new buildings, including the Garry Cardiff Wing, which is named for the recently retired CEO of CHEO. It will house the day treatment unit for blood disorders, as well as oncology and dialysis units, pediatric care unit and the neonatal unit.